The Miami Heat were supposed to land Damian Lillard. This was the worst-kept secret in the NBA. All summer, we waited for Lillard to land on the Heat. It didn’t happen. Why?
It’s possible that the well was poisoned. The Portland Trail Blazers surely took some offense to being boxed into a corner. Why should they trade Lillard to the only team he wants to play for? Don’t they have to consider what’s best for their organization? With that said, there are other reasons why the Heat couldn’t land Lillard. If they had a package that Portland couldn’t refuse, the Blazers surely would have put their personal issues aside.
They didn’t. This isn’t complicated: Miami doesn’t have the assets to trade for a star like Lillard. With that said, they do have the means to upgrade their roster. Could they do so by acquiring DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: G Kyle Lowry, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan
This summer’s situation has led to some intriguing discourse. It’s gotten us talking about player empowerment. For some time, the influence of star players seemed to know no bounds. Is that changing?
Perhaps. Notably, Portland didn’t send Lillard to his preferred destination. That said, it may not have been the organization that tested the limits of player empowerment. It may have been the player. Lillard is far from the first superstar to request a trade, but his request was somewhat unique.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Miami Heat Updates
How many stars have insisted on joining one team – and only one team? What happens when that team doesn’t have the means to acquire the player? It may have been that Lillard finally put player empowerment past its limit. Either way, the Heat didn’t land him. Should they pivot to DeRozan?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Lillard was an obvious basketball fit for the Heat. DeRozan is a little bit different. In fact, his inability to space the floor can make him a problematic fit on plenty of rosters. Can he really co-exist with Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler?
We’re not sure. With that said, Eric Spoeltra’s drive-and-kick system could allow all three playmakers to co-exist. An open Jimmy Butler three is a fine shot. Moreover, the Heat could start Duncan Robinson and Tyler Hero around the playmaking duo, and they’d have shooting. This could work.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Miami Heat Updates
Meanwhile, the Heat don’t have to give up the farm to test it out. DeRozan won’t command nearly the same return that Lillard did on the trade market. Given their assets, if the Heat are interested in adding DeRozan, he should be affordable. Should the Bulls give him up?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Believe it or not, the Bulls were at times linked to Lillard as well. They’ve also been linked to James Harden. For some fans, this is outrageous. After a wildly disappointing 2022-23 season, plenty are expecting the Bulls to rebuild.
They should probably do just that. Sure, the Bulls could make one more win-now push. If they did so, they’d likely be entirely devoid of assets. Meanwhile, this team looked far from title contention last season. The last thing the Bulls should want is to be without draft capital, and in the middle of the conference.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Miami Heat Updates
Here, they’re plunging to the bottom. The Bulls could also trade Zach LaVine. At the same time, he’s young enough to orchestrate a smaller retooling around. Either way, trading DeRozan for an unprotected first is sensible. Luckily, the Heat can afford that much.
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